Nicholas Hernandez

I was born Feb. 18, 1946, in San Francisco, Ca., USA. I was raised in Southern California, always on the ocean. I have a background in heavy construction, music, and of course Visual Arts. I have coached local high school tennis teams for the last 22 years. I have lived in Laguna Beach, Ca., for 35 years. I have a son and grandson. I recently (Dec., 2005) won the prestigious 'Lorenzo il Magnifico de Medici' Medal for Sculpture at the Florence Biennale in Florence, Italy (the first image is the piece that won the Medici Medal). I carve wood mostly, although I use plastina clay to produce some of my bronze sculptures. I often use my wood sculptures to make molds and produce bronze.





ARTISTS STATEMENT:

(From the Nomadic Museum)

The wind does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

I have been given a bundle of information (a group of skill sets) directly from the impressionists. I consider this a great honor and blessing. At times, I have felt the presence of these great artists, in my studio. "Its as if they are saying, its your turn now, for awhile. I feel a responsibility to use these gifts with the best of my ability. I make beautiful things. The world would...

NICHOLAS HERNANDEZ, Sculptor


I was born in San Francisco in 1946. Raised in Santa Monica, California, I have lived in Laguna Beach for the last 40 years. My first sculpting lesson was at seven years old. The next time I seriously began sculpting I was 46 years old and became the Protg of Sculptor Thomas Richard Garcia. I spent 5 years studying with Mr. Garcia. He is also a contemporary wood sculptor, trained at the Chicago Art Institute. For the last 15 years I have been ambitiously developing my sculpting abilities, studying anatomy, drawing, sculptural technique, and the sculptural process in general. Because of my study with Mr. Garcia, and my own feelings about the potential of my art, I am now a working Sculptor. My first show, (after 3 years of study) was at the Mondavi Food & Wine Center in Orange County, California. I have consistently done 2-5 shows or exhibitions a year since that time including the Los Angeles County Art Museum. After six years of study, I was honored to be commissioned by the Barbara Boxer Family (Senator from California) to create a sculpture for the First Lady, Hilary Clinton. My sculpture was shown in the White House for the last six months of the Clinton Administration. I was giv...